The Happiness Project

"Energy is Eternal Delight."

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:59:00 GMT

"Energy is eternal delight." --William Blake * The folks at Drinking Diaries did an interview with me about the relationship between drinking and happiness. Very thought-provoking questions. * Interested in starting your own happiness project? If you’d...(read more)

Jump!

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:40:00 GMT

I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too ! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in -- no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about...(read more)

I'm Extremely Happy Because...

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:34:00 GMT

I'm extremely happy because my sister had her baby last night! A boy. Here she is, a week ago, courtesy of Sarah Fain Has Starfish Envy , talking about the upcoming event . My sister lives in Los Angeles, a long way from New York, but fortunately I'll...(read more)

Five Tips for Planning Effective New Year’s Resolutions.

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:23:00 GMT

Forty-four percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, and I know I always do. I’m more inclined to make resolutions than ever, in fact, because if my happiness project has convinced me of anything, it has convinced me that resolutions – made right...(read more)

Does Everyone Need a Theme Song? Come On, Get Happy.

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:26:00 GMT

Because I literally cannot resist this call to happiness, here is the “Come On, Get Happy” theme song from The Partridge Family television show. I sat grinning away as I listened to it. If you need it, here’s the link . And speaking of getting happier,...(read more)

In Which Holiday Decorating Reminds Me of Several Happiness Lessons

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:27:00 GMT

I recently put up our holiday decorations, and as I was doing it, I was reminded of several important happiness lessons. 1. I love my husband, just as he is . One of the challenges of a happiness project is accepting your own nature—and also your sweetheart’s...(read more)

"Do Not Spoil What You Have By Desiring What You Have Not..."

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:56:00 GMT

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for.” --Epicurus * I'm a longtime fan of Ben Casnocha's blog , but I just discovered his Business Rules of Thumb Wiki ....(read more)

Don’t Try to Keep That Resolution, Part II

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:45:00 GMT

I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too ! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in—no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about your...(read more)

Two Things that Make Me Happy Today.

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:41:00 GMT

As I approach the publication day of my book (oh, did I forget to mention it? December 29 ), two things have made me happy. First, I’m scheduled to go on the Today show on Friday, January 8. Very exciting! I did the Today show for my first book, Power...(read more)

Four Tips for Using the Abstainer/Moderator Split in the Face of Holiday Temptations

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:16:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: 4 tips for using the abstainer/moderator split to fight holiday temptations. Ah, the holidays. If you’re a person who is trying to withstand temptations, it can be very tough. Everywhere you go, you face cookies,...(read more)

“Toast, Tea, and To-Do Lists”

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:38:00 GMT

From time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my study of happiness, I’ve noticed that I often learn more from one person’s highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail...(read more)

I’ve Waited Three Years to Write This Post. Plus a Freebie!

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:23:00 GMT

I started this blog in March 2006. I didn’t intend to become a blogger, at all; I considered myself (and still consider myself) a traditional writer of books. Starting a blog was the way I chose to test the proposition that novelty and challenge make...(read more)

"The [Three] Great Interests of Man."

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:06:00 GMT

"the great interests of man: air and light, the joy of having a body, the voluptuousness of looking." I always credited these lines to Wallace Stevens, but when I looked them up to check my memory, I realized that Stevens is actually quoting Mario Rossi...(read more)

Resolve to Make 2010 a Happier Year.

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:15:00 GMT

Blogging, Taking Risks, and Watching "The Devil Wears Prada"

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:18:00 GMT

I started my career as a lawyer—I was clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when I realized that I really wanted to be a writer—and I’m still very interested in lawyerly concerns. One way I stay abreast of what’s happening in the world of law—and also...(read more)

Eight Ways To Tell Whether You're Being Boring

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:27:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Eight tips for knowing if you’re boring someone. ‘Tis the season of merry-making, which means you’re probably more likely than usual to find yourself making polite and perhaps awkward chit-chat. One of the challenges...(read more)

Interview With an (Imaginary) Hostile Reader

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:22:00 GMT

I got a big kick out of an anecdote recounted in Tara Parker-Pope’s recent New York Times story about getting along with your relatives over the holidays. Two cousins were facing separate difficult family dinners, and in anticipation, they organized a...(read more)

Zoikes, I Occupy Two of the Top 10 Google Results for "Happiness"

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:28:00 GMT

I'm absolutely flabbergasted. In a moment of idle internet surfing, I decided to google "happiness" just to see what the top results were. Guess what? The happiness project occupies two of the top 10 results. One for the blog, The Happiness Project ,...(read more)

Coming Soon to a City Near You! Maybe.

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:38:00 GMT

My book, The Happiness Project , comes out in less than a month, and my book tour schedule is final! At last. Several weeks ago, when I posted a question about my possible book tour , many readers wrote to me to encourage me to come to their hometowns—I...(read more)

Make Sure the “Fun” Is Fun for You

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:12:00 GMT